Impromptu Fest (9/12-9/16)

New Music Chicago is excited to announce the fourth edition of Impromptu Fest: “New Music // New Connections,” a showcase of contemporary and experimental music being made in Chicago today, presented in collaboration with Epiphany Center For The Arts, Elastic Arts, and High Concept Labs. Following presentations in 2018, 2019, and 2021, this year’s program marks a major expansion of scale for the “plucky upstart festival” (Chicago Classical Review): it will take place Tuesday, September 12 through Saturday, September 16, presenting 15 performances ranging from solo performances to chamber music and ensemble acts representing the scope of New Music Chicago membership and beyond. All performances are free to the public, with donations accepted. "This year's Impromptu Fest is brimming with new faces, new relationships, and of course, new music! We are thrilled to have expanded to include multiple venue partners and a multitude of new members to New Music Chicago. Their energy, creativity, and wide-ranging variety of sound will be in the forefront at this invigorating new music festival," says former NMC president Amy Wurtz, who serves as the lead curator and organizer of the festival along with Alyson Berger and Ben Zucker Impromptu Fest is a production of New Music Chicago, and is presented with support from the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. Festival Features By Day: Tuesday, September 12 Impromptu Fest begins at Epiphany Center for the Arts, kicking off with Holly Roadfeldt performing Anthony Lanman’s Hommages, piano vignettes for artists ranging from John Dowland to Hayao Miyazaki to Frank Zappa. The up-and-coming Codex Trio (Amanda Beaune, violin; Zaira Castillo, piano; Isidora Nojkovic, cello) injects the classical piano trio with improvisational energy through a mixture of composed and indeterminate pieces, including works by Peter Kramer, Pauline Oliveros, and the late Kaija Saariaho. Finally, the Sapphire Wind Quintet continues its dedicated exploration of female composers with works by Valerie Coleman, Jennifer Higdon, Libby Larsen, current Chicago resident Devin Clara Fanslow, and an arrangement of work by historic Chicago native Florence Price. Wednesday, September 13 Elastic Arts’ mission and capability for interdisciplinary work is foregrounded in this day of the festival: First, sound artist and performer Juliann Wang interrogates combinations of modern and ancient Chinese performance with excerpts from her forthcoming album “Notes From The Wind”. The _____ (Blank) Experiment, featuring the unusual combination of winds, saxophone, and harp, brings their rapidly-growing repertoire to the second part of the program, including recent premiers by Chicago composers Shi-An Costello and Adam Kennaugh. Finally, Mark Nagy’s “Station Four” presents “Dynamic Fabric: Chicago Intersections,” the world premiere of a nine movement suite for musicians and dancers that celebrates historical events and local landmarks where diverse communities have met and knit the city's character. This concert will also be streamed and viewable on Youtube following the performances, courtesy of Elastic Arts. Thursday, September 14 The festival returns to the Epiphany Center for the Arts’ for their Golden Hour series, beginning with “Intra-Acts” by the Masso Saxophone Quartet, a program of original commissions including Chicago-area composers Shi-an Costello, Wan Heo, Leo Discenza, and Mya Vandegrift. Violinist Tricia Park then showcases solo repertoire “From Bach to BTS”, with works by Park, Anthony Cheung, August Read Thomas, George Walker, Chen Yi, and Isang Yun in between the two more familiar names. Finally, guest artists D-Composed headline the evening with a special set, including a premiere by Tomeka Reid commissioned by NMC and the Ear Taxi Festival. Friday, September 15 The festival reaches its exciting conclusion at High Concept Labs, a unique multidisciplinary arts space hosted by Mana Contemporary in Pilsen. Ramin Roshandel is joined by University of Iowa professor Jean-Francois Charles to premiere a new work for setar (a traditional Persian lute) and live electronics. They’re followed by OLEA, a group styled after Messiaen’s “Quartet For The End Of Time” and here featuring Owen Hopper’s “Wind Blows Lotus Leaves”, inspired by movements of Guang Ping Yang t’ai chi. Polymath musician and AACM member Renee Baker concludes the evening with her Modern Black Music Ensemble, presenting a new version of the musical and visual experience “By the Quiet: Beyond Time”. Saturday, September 16 In collaboration with High Concept Labs, the last day of Impromptu Fest begins with presentations by former Artists-In-Residence: come hear Shi-An Costello, Mabel Kwan, and Allen Moore discuss and show their unique practices in the afternoon. Later that evening, Tim Corpus and Alyssa Arrigo present an electrifying program of postminimalism on synths and guitars, including works by Corpus, John Adams, Arvo Part, and Ann Southam. Finally, the festival concludes with headlining artist William Jason Raynovich, celebrating the release of his new electroacoustic album with a solo performance on cello, electronics, and unique custom-made instruments. Impromptu Fest 2023 Full Schedule & Locations (all locations in Chicago, IL): Tuesday, September 12, at Epiphany Center for the Arts (201 S Ashland Ave.) 5 pm: Anthony Lanman & Holly Roadfeldt 6 pm: Codex Trio 7 pm: Sapphire Wind Quintet Wednesday, September 13, at Elastic Arts (3429 W. Diversey Ave.) 7 pm: Juliann Wang 8 pm: The _____ Experiment 9 pm: Mark Nagy’s Station 4 Thursday, September 14, at Epiphany Center for the Arts 5 pm: Masso Saxophone Quartet 6 pm: Tricia Park 7 pm: D-Composed Friday, September 15, at High Concept Labs (2233 S. Throop, Suite #401) 7 pm: Ramin Roshandel & Jean-Francois Charles 8 pm: OLEA 9 pm: Renee Baker’s Modern Black Music Ensemble Saturday, September 16, at High Concept Labs 4 pm: HCL Artists-In-Residence panel with Shi-An Costello, Mabel Kwan, & Allen Moore 7 pm: Tim Corpus 8 pm: William Jason Raynovich About New Music Chicago (NMC) New Music Chicago, founded in 2005, advocates for the importance of a vital, vibrant music scene in our city and its geographical region. NMC is a member organization that supports a passionate community through online and in-person services, including a calendar, bi-monthly e-newsletters, social media presence, networking opportunities, professional development, and performances, serving emerging and established artists alike. Visit www.newmusicchicago.org for more information.